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IR4034: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (2024-2025)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:59


Course Overview

This course investigates the international relations of science and technology, focusing on both the causes and effects of technology in terms of domestic and global governance. It examines issues such as ‘big science’ projects, technology transfer, the regulation of technology, competition in technology, and state policies toward technology using examples such as the nuclear industry, biotechnology, the internet, and others.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term First Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor M. E. Smith

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • Either International Relations (IR) or Politics (PI)
  • Either Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

Yes

One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.


Course Description

Science and technology play fundamental roles in human history, and the development, dispersion, and regulation of technology are defining features of modern capitalist economies. Many technologies also have the capacity to transcend state borders and thus undermine national sovereignty. Yet until quite recently, science and technology have not received a great deal of focused attention by political scientists. To help stimulate more interest in this issue, this course investigates the international relations of science and technology, focusing on both the causes and effects of technology in terms of domestic and global governance. It examines issues such as modern ‘big science’ programmes, technology transfer, the international regulation of technology, competition in technology, and state policies toward technology using examples such as the nuclear industry, biotechnology, the internet, space-related industries, and others. It is intended to be both a survey course to introduce students to the field and a research seminar for students wishing to explore these issues in more depth.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks 18 Feedback Weeks 24

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Feedback

Written feedback will be provided via e-mail on a standardised form used by the Department of Politics & International Relations.

Word Count 4000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse the specific ways governments pursue technology for strategic national purposes.
ProceduralEvaluateEvaluate the causes and consequences of major technological innovations from the perspective of domestic and international politics.
ProceduralUnderstandUnderstand the critical role science & technology plays in contemporary international relations.
ReflectionCreatePropose innovative and effective policies intended to help develop, disperse, and govern new technologies among states.

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17 Feedback Weeks 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17

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Feedback

Coursework: Seminar presentations on readings. Two to four short (15 minute) oral presentations during the course term to facilitate discussion. 30% of total assessment.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse the specific ways governments pursue technology for strategic national purposes.
ProceduralEvaluateEvaluate the causes and consequences of major technological innovations from the perspective of domestic and international politics.
ProceduralUnderstandUnderstand the critical role science & technology plays in contemporary international relations.
ReflectionCreatePropose innovative and effective policies intended to help develop, disperse, and govern new technologies among states.

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17 Feedback Weeks 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Coursework: At least 3 short written questions about the week’s readings (total around 200 words per week) submitted one day before each seminar, via e-mail (10 seminars in total). 30% of total assessment.

 

Examples will be provided before the first seminar, best practice will be discussed after the initial submissions, and individual written feedback will be provided via e-mail.

Word Count 2000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse the specific ways governments pursue technology for strategic national purposes.
ProceduralEvaluateEvaluate the causes and consequences of major technological innovations from the perspective of domestic and international politics.
ProceduralUnderstandUnderstand the critical role science & technology plays in contemporary international relations.
ReflectionCreatePropose innovative and effective policies intended to help develop, disperse, and govern new technologies among states.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse the specific ways governments pursue technology for strategic national purposes.
ReflectionCreatePropose innovative and effective policies intended to help develop, disperse, and govern new technologies among states.
ProceduralEvaluateEvaluate the causes and consequences of major technological innovations from the perspective of domestic and international politics.
ProceduralUnderstandUnderstand the critical role science & technology plays in contemporary international relations.

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